Handbag



L. FREIDMAN May 28, 1940.

l HANDBAG Filed March 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Lea adma/z BY I42m/x74 q/Silda ATTORNEY S` 28, 1940. FRElDMAN 2,202,651

HANDBAG Filed March 25, 1940 2 Shoots-Sheet 2 C' rxc ATTORNEYS PatentedMay 28, 1940 incassi PATENT OFFICE HANDBAG Leo Freidman,

New York New York, N. Y., assignor to Gold Seal Importers, Inc.,

a corporation of Application March 25, 1940, Serial No. 325,715

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to handbags and more especially to theframe structures thereof.

It is among the objects of the invention to pro- Vide a handbag theentire structure of which including the exposed frame portion thereof isof supple character, thereby to attain a novel and ornamental tailoredeffect, and which is devoid of wooden, plastic' or metal parts otherthan the substantially conventional light hinged metal frame.

Another object is to provide a bag frame of the above type the clasp ofwhich is substantially concealed and enclosed by the supple structure,but yet is readily accessible for operation, and in which the suppleframe portion While securely assembled is yet in unobtrusive relationwith respect to the operation of the clasp.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of various possibleembodiments of the several features of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the bag in closedposition,

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the bag in open position,

Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section on an enlarged scale taken online 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 taken on line ll-lI of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2, n

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective View indicating one step in theassembly of the crest structure of the frame,

Fig, 'l is a fragmentary transverse cross-section showing a step in theassembly of the frame,

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the frame crest with parts broken away, showinganother step in the assembly thereof,

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the opened frame,

Fig. 10 is a View in longitudinal cross-section on a larger scale taken`along the line IU--II'I of Fig. 8 and Fig. 11 is a fragmentaryperspective View of a detail of the partly made crest structure.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a exible handbagstructure, with side walls II, infolded end walls I2, flexible handlesI3 and a conventional metal frame structure that comprises two jaws Jand J2 of channel bar stock, hinged together at their ends as at I4.Illustratively, each of the jaws has lateral Wings I5 which are shown inthe drawings as extending at an obtuse angle relative to the mainlongitudinal portion I6 rigid with said wings.

According to the present invention, the frame is ornamented with aflexible crest structure V aflixed thereto, which desirably is of thesame flexible fabric as the body of the bag, and harmonizes with thegeneral lines and contour thereof.

In the particular embodiment shown, the crest structure is made of aunitary blank 2@ of fabric, folded and stitched to a wedge shape asshown. Desirably the blank is longitudinally folded along the fold lines2l to determine a base 22 and a pair "10 of side walls 23 and 24 whichare stitched together at 25' at their outer edges, the length of thebase being affixed `to one of the frame jaws J and desirably extendingthe entire length thereof from hinge to hinge.

In a desirable particular specific construction, the crest fabric isreinforced by a ply of cloth 26 over which is superposed a ply offlexible fiber 21. The marginal edge of the covering fabric is foldedinward as at 28 over the edges of the fiber backing and desirablycemented thereto, to afford a unitary structure.

Darts 29 are preferably cut out of the fiber backing at the regionscorresponding to the angles of corners 33 between the wings I5 and themain length IE of the jaw J and the material of the exposed clothbacking 26 and of the fabric covering 22 at opposite sides of the dartis stitched together by a transverse line of stitching 3| and desirablyalso by a staple 32, so that the crest piece is formed with wings C"extending at the same angle to the main length as do the wings of thejaw J to which it is to be applied.

While the crest piece may be applied to the jaw frame by any of variousmeans, it is preferable to stitch the same in place with respect to theconventional fabric covering 33 that is snugly Wrapped over the framejaw. For this purpose, it is desirable to connect by stitching 34, thebase of the `crest'piece to the frame covering strip 33 before suchstrip is applied to the frame jaw. The parts are preferably stitchedtogether while the crest structure is still in a continuous length, andbefore it has been folded and transversely stitched to form the wingsShown in Figs. 10 and 11. To this end it is desirable first to attachthe frame jaw covering strip 33 upon the crest by rubber cement, so thatit will not shift as the line of stitching 34 is applied. Thereupon, thetransverse stitching operation is performed on the crest at 3l andfinally the crest is applied to the frame jaw J', as best shown in Fig.7, by folding the frame covering strip 33 about and tucking the freeedges thereof inward into the channel in conventional manner. Thestructure of the bag proper is then readily introduced at its edges 35between the inturned cover margins 36 in the channel sides of the jawwhich is then compressed to clamp the fabric of the bag in placeaccording to usual practice. The crest piece is completed by the line ofstitching 25 at the outer registering edges thereof.

Desirably, the clasp for the bag is in the form of a flat metal plate 40centrally interposed between the crest C and the associated frame jaw Jand coacting with a conventional latch 4| affixed in the opposite jaw J2of the frame. For resiliently hinging the latch plate to the jaw J apair of hinge eyes 42 may be soldered, brazed or welded rigidly to theplate 40 and these extend through corresponding apertures in the upperchannel wall of the jaw and through the covering fabric 33 thereof. Apintle pin 43 extends through the pintle eyes within the channel of thejaw and securely mounts the plate in position and yet permits resilienthinging movement thereof, the pin being curved and by its spring action,urging the plate to latching position. The plate 40 is preferably langedupward at its forward end as at 44 for facility of operation, and isalso desirably turned up at its rear edge 45 for easy rolling orpivoting action, without tending to cut into the fabric that it engages.

As shown in the drawings, the line of stitching which connects the baseof the crest to the frame jaw is interrupted at 46 to leave anunobstructed sheath between the frame jaw and the crest foraccommodating the latching plate. Moreover, the ber backing of the crestbase is cut away at 41 at its median portion, that is, at the regionwhere the latch plate is located, so as to eliminate any obstruction tothe free hinging movement of the latch due to the stiffness of any berthereat.

As shown in the drawings, the base of the crest is preferably of Widthsuch that the upper edge of the crest extends substantially in the plane0f contact of the closed frame, the base 22 thus overhanging the inneredge of the frame jaw by a substantial width so that when the frame isin closed position, as best shown in Fig. 4, the crest will extendsymmetrically with respect to the sides of the bag and will conform withthe general angle of convergence of the bag sides.

'Ihe crest, constructed as shown is substantially as supple and flexibleas the bag itself and imparts to the bag the soft tailored appearanceand feel required by the dictates of fashion, The rigid part of theframe structure is completely concealed and the protruding edge 44 ofthe latch plate is the only metal part that shows and this is in anunobtrusive position, where it is completely framed front and back bythe flexible fabric structure of the bag and its crest. Of course, ifdesired, the latch plate itself could be covered With fabric.

It is seen that the ornamental crest of the frame is devoid of anyrigid, wooden, plastic or metal parts, and that the production thereofin any of multitudinous possible designs and its assembly to the frameare effected entirely by cutting and needle work and at relatively lowcost. The expense for molds or dies or metal work of any kind isavoided.

'I'he bag shown in the drawings may be Widely varied as to shape of bodystructure and shape of frame, which latter may be circular or may havewing portions at right angles to the main portions by way of example.

The term fabric as used in the claims is generic to embrace any and allflexible covering materials and includes leather, imitation leather,silk, wool, rayon, metal mesh and numerous other materials suitable forllexible handbags generally.

While the shape of the crest has been shown in one particular designeiTect, it will be understood that the invention lends itself to any ofcountless variations of design and contour thereof, and that the surfaceconformation of the crest also may be varied according to the taste ofthe designer to include plaiting, pleating, ruflling or any of numerousother eects that will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in theart.

As many changes could be made in the above article and many apparentlywidely different em-A bodiments of this invention could be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A handbag frame comprising a pair of substantially identical hingedjaws, a crest having a base alxed to one of said jaws, and extendingsubstantially the entire length thereof from hinge to hinge, said cresthaving upstanding flexible side walls converging upwardly from therespective sides of said base and secured directly together at theirregistering upper edges, the base of said crest protruding beyond theinner edge of said jaw, thereby to overlap the companion jaw in closedposition of the bag. 1

2. A handbag frame, comprising a pair of identical metal jaws hingedtogether at their ends, and a flexible fabric crest comprising a unitaryblank of fabric having a baseportion afxed to one of said jaws, andhaving flexible lateral wings unitary with said base, upstandingtherefrom and stitched together at their outer edges, the base of saidcrest protruding inward beyond the jaw on which it is carried to overlapthe companion jaw when the frame is closed, said permanently i' basehaving a stiffener extending the length and having flexible side wallsrising from the respective sides of said base and stitched together attheir outer ends the base of said crest protruding beyond the inner edgeof said jaw, thereby to overlap the companion jaw in closed position ofthe bag.

4. A handbag frame comprising a pair of metal jaws hinged together attheir ends, a fabric covering over each of said jaws, a crest comprisinga unitary piece of fabric including a base portion extendingsubstantially the length of one of said frames and stitched to thecovering of the latter, said crest including side walls rising from saidbase and stitched together at their outer edges, a flexible liberstiifening ply covering the inner areas of the base and the side wallsof said crest and completely enclosed therein, the base of' said crestoverhanging the inner edge of the jaw on which it is carried to overlapthe companion jaw in closed position of the frame.

5. A handbag frame, comprising a pair of identical jaws hinged togetherat their ends, each jaw including a main section and a pair of wingsections rigid therewith and extending at an angle thereto, a crestextending substantially the length of one of said jaws hinge to hinge,said crest including a base portion permanently affixed to said jaw, andflexible side walls rising from said base portion, the side walls ofsaid crest fabric having darts at the junction between the longitudinaland wing portions of the frame, and being transversely stitched togetherthereat to conform to the shape of said jaw,v the registering outer edgeof the side walls of' the crest being stitched together along the lengththereof.

6. A handbag frame, including a metal jaw having a longitudinal portionand wing portions rigid therewith extending at an angle thereto and withhinges at the outer ends thereof, a flexible ornamental crest rigidlyaffixed to said jaw and extending substantially rthe entire lengththereof from hinge to hinge, said crest comprising a unitary continuousblank of fabric, a flexible stiffening backing covering the inner facethereof, the margin of said fabric being turned inward over saidbacking,said backing being cut away at the junction region between thelongitudinal and wing portions of the jaws, and being transverselystitched together thereat to conform the crest to the shape of the jaw,the said crest portion being folded longitudinally to determine a baseportion and lateral walls, the said base portion being affixed to thelength of said jaw, and said lateral walls being stitched to- 7. Thecombination recited in claim 6, in which each of the jaws has a fabriccovering, and the base portion of the crest is stitched longitudinallyto the covering on one of said jaws.

8. A handbag frame comprising a pair of metal jaws, each including amain portion and lateral wing portions rigid therewith and extending atgether along the length of the outer edgestherean angle thereto, saidwing portions being hinged y together, a flexible ornamental crest unitaffixed to one of said jaws and extending substantially they entirelength' thereof from hinge to hinge, said crest unit being composed of aunitary piece of fabric having superposed thereover a ply of cloth and aply of flexible fiber, the margins of said fabric being turned inwardlyover said fiber, said fiber ply being cut away at the regioncorresponding to the inner ends of the wing portions of the jaw andtransversely stitched together to conform the crest to the wings of thejaw, the said crest unit being longitudinally folded to form a baseportion rigidly aflixed to the frame, and lateral portions turned inwardand stitched together along the outer edges thereof.

9. A handbag frame, comprising a pair of-metal jaws, each including amain portion and lateral wing portions rigid an angle thereto, said wingportions being hinged together, a flexible ornamental crest unit affixedto one of said jaws and extending substantially the entire lengththereof from hinge to hinge, y said crest unit being composed of aunitary piece Y of fabric having superposed thereover a ply of cloth anda ply of flexible liber, the margins of said fabric being turnedinwardly over` said fiber, said fiber ply being cut away at the regioncorresponding to the inner ends of wing portions of the jaw andtransversely stitched together thereat to conform the crest unit to thejaw, the said crest unit being longitudinally folded to form a baseportion rigidly affixed to the jaw, and lateral portions turned inwardand stitched together along the outer edges thereof, a bag latchingplate hinged to said jaw and interposed between said jaw and the base ofsaid crest, the fiber ply of said crest structurebeing cut away alongthat portion of the base corresponding to said plate.

LEO FREIDMAN.

therewith and extending at

